New Research Project Examines COVID-19 Impacts on Film and TV Equity

The following is excerpted from a communication issued by Women in Film & Television Canada.

The impact of COVID-19 on the film and television production industry across Canada – in particular its risk to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion – is the subject of a new research project launched by the Women in Film and Television Canada Coalition and helmed by two leading Canadian female scholars.  

The research project, Deciding On Diversity: Covid-19, Risk Management and Intersectional Inequality in the Canadian Film and Television Production Industry, is funded by the Canada Media Fund and seeks to better understand how the pandemic has put significant pressure on the film and television’s labour market, with industry partners and government collaborating to better understand economic impact and risk mitigation for project financing. 

The Canadian research project draws from the experiences and insights of key decision makers and creative advocates across Canada, with focus groups, data analysis and policy evaluation. Outreach has begun with stakeholders from Telefilm, Ontario Creates, Creative BC, and other industry associations representing the film and television industry.

Leading the research project are Dr. Amanda Coles from Deakin University and Dr. Deb Verhoeven from the University of Alberta, two well-known academics within the WIFT community recognized for their collective work in the arts and entertainment industry, public policy and cultural economy.

The research project concludes this summer with a summary of findings and recommendations expected to be shared publicly by the fall. For more information about this research project, please contact Linda Ong at wiftcanadaresearch@womeninfilm.ca.